PGIN to DAR: Help with ‘buy-back program

Laoag City—With the recent PHP167 million worth of losses in agriculture due to severe tropical storm “Ineng” [Bailu], Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc appealed to the Department of Agriculture (DA) to fund its palay buy-back program.

A brainchild of former Ilocos Norte Governor, now Senator Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos, which started in 2018, the buy-back program is an agreement between the Provincial Government and qualified palay and rice traders and farmers. The agreement states that the provincial government shall buy some of their stocks at fair market value, ensuring the province sufficient rice supply.

Stated in a letter addressed to DA Secretary William D. Dar, Mr. Manotoc wrote “...[W]ith the tarrification and lifting of import restrictions on rice which resulted to decline in its market price, we appeal for funding of our buy-back program to help our local farmers get more from their hard work.”

In a measure to make the food staple more affordable for Filipinos, President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law this February an act that will lift import restrictions on rice. This means that local farmers must compete with international suppliers in lowering their produce’s market price.

Moreover, as part of the provincial government’s initiatives for rural development and the improvement of the quality of life of farmer-beneficiaries, Mr. Manotoc also requested for provision of various agricultural equipment, farm machineries, seeds, as well as improvement of irrigation facilities.

Ms. Marcos agreed: “Malaking bagay ‘yong buy-back na sinasabi bilang emergency procurement. As we know, bagsak na bagsak ang presyo ng palay bago pa man nag-umpisa ang baha. Sa mga susunod na buwan papasok pa ‘yong main crop ng September at October, bababa pa lalo ang presyo, hindi na kakayanin. Nananawagan tayo kay President Rodrigo Duterte hindi lang para sa Ilocos Norte na nasalanta ng bagyo pati na rin sa iba pang mga lalawigan.” (Edison Justin B. Deus)

Comments

Empanada festival: A celebration of good taste and good life

By Dominic B. dela Cruz & Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporters BATAC CITY—If there is one thing Batac is truly proud of, it would be its famous empanada-making business that has nurtured its people over the years. Embracing a century-old culture and culinary tradition, Batac’s empanada claims to be the best and tastiest in the country with its distinctive Ilokano taste courtesy of its local ingredients: fresh grated papaya, mongo, chopped longganisa, and egg. The crispy orange wrapper and is made of rice flour that is deep-fried. The celebration of this city’s famous traditional fast food attracting locals and tourists elsewhere comes with the City Charter Day of Batac every 23 rd of June. Every year, the City Government of Batac led by Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta commemorate the city’s charter day celebration to further promote its famous One-Town, One Product, the Batac empanada. Empanada City The Batac empanada festival has already become an annua

PGIN honors Ilocano heroes of past, present through Heroes Walk

SPO1 Allan Lampitoc Franco of Banna, Ilocos Norte and PO2 Jovalyn D. Lozano of Adams, Ilocos Norte receive a resolution of commendation, a certificate of college scholarship grant to their family members and a P20,000 cash incentive each from the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte represented by Governor Imee R. Marcos and Vice Governor Angelo M. Barba in recognition of their bravery and heroic acts in the Mamasapano clash in Maguindanao on January 25. Mr. Franco and Mr. Lozano were recognized on March 10 in time for the unveiling of the second batch of Ilocano heroes at the Heroes Walk located along the Sirib Mile in Laoag City. (Lei Adriano) By Jennifer T. Pambid PGIN-CMO In honor of the heroes who brought freedom, fame and glory to the province as well as to the country in the past century, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) through the Education Department and Sirib Youth Office launched the second batch of Ilocano Heroes Walk on March 10, 2015.

Pagudpud’s tourism transformer passes away

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Retired Philippine Air Force Col. Ricardo Nolasco Jr., owner of Hannah’s Beach Resort and Convention Center in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte passed away on Wednesday evening, July 11, 2018. He was 67. “He did not survive an open-heart surgery,” said Ronald Dominguez, spokesperson of the largest resort at Brgy. Balaoi in Pagudpud. Known as the architect behind the transformation of Pagudpud town as a premiere destination of the north, Mr. Nolasco put up Hannah’s Beach Resort in what was originally meant as a family vacation resort. The rest is history when it expanded into more than 300-room executive villas and cabanas, with on-going infrastructure developments and set up various amenities. As a result, hundreds of domestic and foreign tourists visit here daily. The resort is on a cliff by the beach, which provides a spectacular view of the sparkling blue lagoon. “Yesterday will go down my lifeline as one

The Ilocos Times

Search This Blog